Lacquier solvent



Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. ,TBICKEY, or nvans'ron, ILLINOIS, AssIoNoa r0 THE coma oars conrm, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs,.A ooBPoRA'rIoNor NEW JERSEY.

LACQUER SOLVENT.

1T0 Drawing.

This invention relates to solvents for cellulose derivatives, especially those applicable to the manufacture of lacquers and it relates particularly to compositions of matter comprising cellulose derivatives and these solvents.

In the manufacture of lacquers it has been found that no one solvent is satisfactory, but a mixture containingsolvents of a relatively wide range of boiling pointsis necessary to impart the properties essential to a desirable lacquer. The evaporation rate should be fast at first and slow at the end, the slow evaporation at the end being important as the lacquer must have time to flow out and produce a smooth, uniform and glossy surface. The solvent must produce a solution of low viscosity even though the solution has become somewhat concentrated by evaporation.

The solvent should preferably have no objectionable odor and should be stable with respect to color and composition. It is especially important thatthe solvent should not decompose with'the liberation of free acid.

or acidic compounds. The low boiling solvents are necessary to reduce the viscosity of the lacquers so they can be sprayed and since their rate of evaporation'is high, they impart to the lacquers the property of quick drying. The hi h boilin solvents act as retarders to the rying o the lacquers, produce the final flow, giving a smooth, glossy film and prevent blushing.

It has also been common practice to add certain nonsolvent's or diluents, such as the alcohols and the hydrocarbonswhich act as solvents for the gums and resins used in the preparation of lacquers, as well as to reduce the cost of the finished lacquer.

I have discovered that tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, which is one of the hydrogenation products of furfural, possesses many properties which.makes its use in lacquers highly advantageous. I have found that tetrahy drofurfuryl alcohol is an excellent solvent for cellulose derivatives such as the cellulose esters and ethers, andthat it is also a solvent for many of the gums and resins used in lacquers, such as gum guiac, gummastic, ester shellac and the like. It is also miscib e with practically all the solvents and diluents at present in commercial-use in the preparation of lac uers. I I have also found that tetrahydrofur ryl alcohoIsolutions of Application filed January 15, 1927. Serial No. 181,470.

cellulose derivatives will stand relatively high dilution with the common diluents w thout precipitation of the cellulose derivatrves.

As an illustration of the ractice of this present -1nvention a forlnu a for lacquers comprising tctrahydrofurfuryl alcohol is given as follows; but it is not to be understood. that I am tobe limited to this specific formula.

- Sol ids 20-30%. I Cellu1)ose nitrate (R. S. cotton sec. I. Ester gum 20-30 D butyl phthalate (plasticizer) L 20-40 Pigment 5-25 Liquids -80%.

Percent. Butanol (alcohol) 5-15 Butyl acetate aliphatic-ester) 5-15 Ethyl acetate aliphatic ester) 20-30 Tetrahydrofurfur 1 alcohol "15-25 Toluol (hydrocar on) 30 45 It is to be understood that the above formula is given only for illustrative purposes and that it represents but one of the various applications of tetrahydrofurfur l alcohol as a solvent for cellulose deri atives. Neutrality, absence of objectionable odor, stability of color and wide range ofsolvent action, particularly adapt tetrah drofurfuryl alcohol as an ingredient for t e preparation of substantiallyjall types of,lacquers.

Of course, it will be'observed that tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol may be used alone as the sole solventin the making of lacquers, particularl where slow drying is desired. Under sue circumstances, other lacquers, solvents, exceptin the tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, may be dispensed with whereupon a high boiling solvent is highly advantageous. It is stable and water white in color, thereby being applicable to clear and light colored lacquers. It is practically odorless, this property being of great importance in the preparation of lacquers intended for application in enclosed space as the high boiling solvents are the last solvents evaporated from the lacquer film and consequently an objectionable odor would render their use undesirable.

Whereas cellulose nitrate has been employed in the illustrative formula cited. other formulae could be given in which cellulose acetate and other cellulose derivatives, such as the cellulose ethers, could be used which are applicable to the preparation of lacquers.

While I have described my invention in one of its forms, it is understood that I do not desire to be limited to any of the specific details outlined above other than those pointed out in the appended claims.

ll claim:

1. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose derivative dissolved in tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

2. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose ester dissolved in tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

-3. A composition of matter comprising cellulose nitrate dissolved in tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

4. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose derivative, and a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

5. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose ester, a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

6. A composition of matter comprising cellulose nitrate, a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

7. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose derivative and a gum dissolved in a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

' 8. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose ester and a gum dissolved in a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

9. A composition of matter comprising cellulose nitrate and a gum dissolved in a solvent mixture therefor comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

10. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose derivative, a gum dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising tetrahydrofurfuI'yl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

11. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose ester, a gum dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

12. A composition of matter comprising cellulose nitrate, a gum dissolved in a sol Vent mixture comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a mixture.

13. A composition of matter comprising a cellulose derivative, a gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

14. A composition of matter comprising diluent for said solvent a cellulose ester, a gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent furfuryl alcohol.

15. A composition of matter comprising comprising tetraliydrocellulose nitrate, a gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent comprising tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

16. A lacquer comprising a cellulose derivative, a. gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent mixture therefor including tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

17 A lacquer comprising a cellulose ester, a gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent mixture therefor including tctrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

18. A lacquer comprising cellulose nitrate, a gum, and a plasticizer dissolved in a solvent mixture tLJref'or including tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a diluent for said solvent mixture.

19. A cellulose ester composition containing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and a resin.

20. A cellulose ester composition containingtetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, a resin, and a solvent softener.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN P. TRICKEY. 

